Today's lesson comes from Joshua 6: 15-25. The spies have returned with a good report, the Israelites have crossed the Jordan River, they have set up the two memorials, so it is time to move against Jericho. The city of Jericho had been "straitly shut up." This means no one could enter or leave the city. The gates were tightly barred. The LORD gave Joshua the battle plan. Sometimes, I wonder what the leaders in the army must have thought when they first heard the strategy. The people would march around the city in the following order:
1. An armed group of soldiers.
2. Seven priests blowing seven trumpets.
3. Then the Ark of the Covenant.
4. Finally, the rest of the people.
No one was to say a word until Joshua gave the command. The march around Jericho would take place for six days. The seventh day would be different.
The first section is: "The Seventh Day." (vv. 15,16) During the six days, no battering rams or ramps were built to attack the city. No human methods were employed. The people had placed all their trust in the Word of God. It would be by faith that the walls fell. (Hebrews 11:30: "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.")
On the seventh day, the people would circle Jericho seven times. The number seven means completeness or perfection. The sounding of the trumpets and the Ark of the Covenant signified the presence of God. This would be God's battle. The fall of Jericho was crucial to conquering the central area of Palestine. When Jericho fell, terror would strike the Canaanite cities.
The summary points of this section are:
1. Sometimes, God moves in mysterious ways.
2. Faith and obedience are keys to victory in our spiritual conflicts.
3. Sometimes the battle is just to be silent.
The second section is: "The Accursed Thing." (vv. 17-19) The word "accursed" can also be translated as "devoted." The city of Jericho was devoted to destruction as a type of "firstfruits" of the conquest of Canaan. The firstfruit offering was of the grain, new wine, oil and the first shearing of sheep. (Leviticus 2:12) The firstfruits of the harvest were to be devoted to the LORD. In later battles, the people would be allowed to keep the spoil of the conquered cities. However, all the spoils from Jericho belonged to the LORD. Everything except the precious metals were to be destroyed. Israel had to learn not to covet, but freely give to the LORD. They had to "touch not the unclean thing" if they were to retain the favor of God.
The summary points of this section are:
1. We must not touch unclean things the LORD has forbidden.
2. Some things have been devoted to being destroyed for God's glory.
3. We must be a people that don't covet and instead freely give to the LORD.
The third section is: "The Trumpet's Sound." (vv. 20,21) As the priests continued to blow the trumpets, the seventh lap around the city was completed. The blowing of the trumpets heralded the time of liberty, rest and victory. When Joshua called out, "Shout for the LORD hath given you the city," the people responded with a loud and joyous cry. Right before their eyes, the walls of Jericho fell down. God caused them to fall under their own weight. What the people inside had trusted to protect them failed under the power of God. After the walls fell, each soldier marched "straight before him, and they took the city." The city was destroyed, and it was burnt with fire (v. 24). The precious metals were put in the treasury of the LORD.
The summary points of this section are:
1. Our God is the God of the impossible.
2. If you are trusting anything to save you except the LORD, your trust is misplaced.
3. Nothing can stop our God.
The fourth section is: "The Promise Kept." (vv. 22-25) Three Sundays ago, we learned about Rahab who saved the lives of the spies. Joshua instructed the two spies to go back to Rahab's house and to "bring out thence the woman and all that she hath." The promise made was kept. Rahab and her family were saved. Her family would have learned about the God of Israel from Rahab. They learned that the people of Israel could be trusted, and that their God was the true God. Historians tell us that Rahab later married a prince of the tribe of Judah. She gave birth to a son who was named Boaz. He was the great-grandfather of King David, from whose lineage came our Savior Jesus Christ.
The summary points of this section are:
1. Our God is faithful, and we can trust Him.
2. Rahab's faith in the LORD saved her family.
3. Don't allow your past to determine your future.
The Golden Text is: "Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city." (Joshua 6:16) God's people have a history of shouting. From the coronation of Saul (1 Samuel 10:24), Israel's armies chasing the Philistines (1 Samuel 17:52), or David bringing the Ark of the Covenant (2 Samuel 6:15), God's people have not been afraid to shout. We should not be afraid to show our excitement or the LORD and what He has done for us. We don't want to be the "frozen chosen" or the "entirely cranktified." We want to be joyous even in the midst of challenges. Remember Who we serve!
Next week: "Defeat at Ai." (Joshua 7: 1-12)
No comments:
Post a Comment